I don’t know if it was Heinlein - i thought it was John W Campbell Jr.
Considering that Campbell published the original “Dianetics” article in Astounding, touting it as a huge breakthrough in psychology, i think that sign should say “It was all a joke that Hubbard played on Campbell”.
But most people younger than thrity or so wouldn’t get it, considering that Campbell died in 1971.
During the Olympics in Salt Lake City, didn’t they intro Donnie and Marie Osmond as Utah’s first couple? I thought they were only considered a couple in Arkansas.
What I heard (baslim, eh? Citizen of the Galaxy - great underrated Heinlein) was that Heinlein said “if you really want to get rich, found a religion.” No bet, but a very Heinleinian comment, in Hubbard’s presence. And Campbell totally bought into Scientology (see Alfred Bester’s description of his first meeting with Campbell in Starlight), but he was quite credulous on a number of things, oddly enough, from psychic phenomena to Dean machines.
One of Campbell’s enthusiasms - the “wishing sticks”, pipe locators made from bent coathanger wire - seems to work. I’ve tried it myself.
And remember - he was shown how tomake and use those by an engineer who worked for a major city’ Water Department (i think it was Baltimore, but it’s over forty years ago, and i was going to say what htye say goes first, but i’ve forgotten…)
“Dowsing rods work best if you know where the water mains are to begin with.”
Except that i used them to find water pipes, sewer pipes, iron pipes, terracotta pipes and concrete pipes. I knew approximately where they were, but not exactly.
Oh - and where there was more than one pipe in the area - i could find just the one i was looking for.
No idea what was going on, but…
Considering Heinlein’s views on religion and all, I can see that being the case.
As it is, I’ve enjoyed almost everything Heinlein ever wrote… but haven’t been able to force myself through anything written by Hubbard.
fairportfan over 15 years ago
I don’t know if it was Heinlein - i thought it was John W Campbell Jr. Considering that Campbell published the original “Dianetics” article in Astounding, touting it as a huge breakthrough in psychology, i think that sign should say “It was all a joke that Hubbard played on Campbell”. But most people younger than thrity or so wouldn’t get it, considering that Campbell died in 1971.
pschearer Premium Member over 15 years ago
Baslim says “Just shows you that even folks who ought to know better can be suckered.”
I think that about every religion.
Hugh B. Hayve over 15 years ago
During the Olympics in Salt Lake City, didn’t they intro Donnie and Marie Osmond as Utah’s first couple? I thought they were only considered a couple in Arkansas.
Motivemagus over 15 years ago
What I heard (baslim, eh? Citizen of the Galaxy - great underrated Heinlein) was that Heinlein said “if you really want to get rich, found a religion.” No bet, but a very Heinleinian comment, in Hubbard’s presence. And Campbell totally bought into Scientology (see Alfred Bester’s description of his first meeting with Campbell in Starlight), but he was quite credulous on a number of things, oddly enough, from psychic phenomena to Dean machines.
fairportfan over 15 years ago
One of Campbell’s enthusiasms - the “wishing sticks”, pipe locators made from bent coathanger wire - seems to work. I’ve tried it myself. And remember - he was shown how tomake and use those by an engineer who worked for a major city’ Water Department (i think it was Baltimore, but it’s over forty years ago, and i was going to say what htye say goes first, but i’ve forgotten…)
ChiehHsia over 15 years ago
Dowsing rods work best if you know where the water mains are to begin with.
fairportfan over 15 years ago
Roger, but not THAT one, the other one. says:
“Dowsing rods work best if you know where the water mains are to begin with.” Except that i used them to find water pipes, sewer pipes, iron pipes, terracotta pipes and concrete pipes. I knew approximately where they were, but not exactly. Oh - and where there was more than one pipe in the area - i could find just the one i was looking for. No idea what was going on, but…
mivins over 15 years ago
Do you mean a third-rate science fiction writer just made up that stuff about cosmic volcanic explosions and advanced alien life forms and all? Gosh.
atfulcrum over 15 years ago
Now I’m confused… was it Campbell or Asimov who made the bet with Hubbard?
VancouverRaven over 15 years ago
Considering Heinlein’s views on religion and all, I can see that being the case. As it is, I’ve enjoyed almost everything Heinlein ever wrote… but haven’t been able to force myself through anything written by Hubbard.
hamsterface over 15 years ago
Upset small furry mammals like hamsters! They won’t stand up for themselves! I laughed till my stomach hurt when my comment was mentioned!
Durak Premium Member over 15 years ago
Zane Grey already got the Mormons, in Riders of the Purple Sage.